Mariners Park is:

Neighborhood Description

Surrounding neighborhoods include Elm Park and Port Ivory to the east and Graniteville to the south. Richmond Terrace runs through the north side, while Holland Avenue is on the west side. As its name suggests, Mariners Park has a rich history of aquatic activities ranging from its 19th century renown for oyster harvests to the abundance of local shipping and dry dock companies throughout the 20th century. The neighborhood has undergone many changes since being settled by Dutch and French Huguenot settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries, but their impact is not forgotten; the names of several streets in Mariners Park are those of settling families, including Van Pelt Avenue, Brabrant Street, and Mersereau Avenue.

Mariners Park is home to various ethnicities and religious backgrounds, as evidenced by the area’s various religious congregations. Several Catholic churches are popular among the large Italian-American population in the neighborhood, while a large African-American congregation attends the Fellowship Baptist Church. There is also a growing Puerto Rican demographic in Mariners Park and surrounding neighborhoods like Elm Park, Graniteville and Arlington. Residents can visit a wide range of stores and restaurants on nearby streets like Richmond Terrace, Forest Avenue, and Brabant Street. The Mariners Harbor Yacht Club is another notable attraction, offering beautiful waterfront views and slices of maritime history.

In addition to its maritime history, Mariners Park was also a site of Buffalo Bill’s “Wild West Show” in the late 1800s. The attraction brought thousands of new visitors to the neighborhood and helped launch a boom in industry for the surrounding area. Today, many flock to Mariners Park for what is considered to be some of the city’s finest Italian food. Upper Crust and Bella Mama Rose are just a few of the highly acclaimed Italian restaurants in the area, with an equally stellar selection in neighboring Elm Park. Getting to and from Mariners Park is possible via several bus lines. Local bus routes include S40/90 along Richmond Terrace, S48/98 along Forest Avenue, and S46/96 along Brabant Street and Walker Street. Express buses X12, X30, and X42 are also available on Forest Avenue.